News

Comment: Sue Denham

Ivor “the Engine” Callely, the junior transport minister, got it in the neck last week when he appeared in large advertisements promoting extra public transport for Christmas. The opposition howled that he was using his office for political gain and wasting taxpayers’ money boosting his profile. They were right, of course, but that’s not going to deter Ivor, an incorrigible vote-seeker and a man for whom embarrassment is just a long word.

At the launch of the government’s transport plan two weeks ago, Ivor was not awarded a seat at the top table. Having stated on numerous occasions that he was a driving force behind Transport 21, Sue expected him to be mortified at being relegated to the crowd. Not a bit of it. After the big boys were finished with their briefing, up popped Ivor with his